Introduction
Are you planning to adopt a bearded dragon and wondering which kind you should get? Or maybe you already have one, and now you are wondering, “What type of bearded dragon do I have?”
If you are busting your gut in figuring out the types of bearded dragons, then you’ve come to the right place! In this section, we will get competent in the different varieties of this reptile. Even so, chances are you have a central beardie, either a hypo-bearded dragon or a standard one.
Moreover, we also decided to tell you some helpful details that can help you find the perfect hypo-bearded dragon breeders.
What Is a Bearded Dragon Mutation?
A bearded dragon mutation occurs within the DNA, and it can be passed down to future generations.
These mutations also produce interesting visual changes to the bearded dragon’s basic appearance.
If you understand how mutation occurs, you can easily identify them and protect yourself from breeders that mislabel their reptiles.
You must understand that this knowledge is crucial to fully appreciate these little reptiles.
We made sure that this topic was easy to read so our readers could easily understand the topic. We did not use complex terminologies that can confuse you.
So, if you want to learn more, please join us and keep reading.
What Are the Common Colors of Bearded Dragons?
Usually, the most common colors in bearded dragons are red, yellow, orange, and white. However, the original Australian bearded dragon has different shades of brown. The bright new colors only began after decades of selective breeding worldwide. However, you must know that these colors are not mutations but a set of visual appearances passed down through generations.
Some beardies also have unique back patterns, such as vertical and horizontal stripes known as bards.
What Are the Common Bearded Dragon Morphs?
Bearded dragons have different types of morphs. However, “morph” refers to a catch-all term for variations, such as color, size, and skin type. Here are the most common dragon morphs with a brief explanation.
- Hypo Bearded Dragons
What are hypo bearded dragons? Well, hypo is a short-term for “hypomelanism”, which means “less melanin”. We are all aware that melanin is a pigment found throughout all animals and can take several chemical forms.
When it comes to bearded dragons, a hypomorph refers to a recessive mutation that causes the dragon to produce less melanin, meaning they have clear nails without the normal brown stripe at the top of their nails. A beardie’s hypo trait also helps in reducing melanin in their scales, making other colors appear vibrant.
Tip: For better growth, give your beardie a daily dose of calcium powder with vitamin D.
- Translucent Bearded Dragons
“Translucent” means see-through. Therefore, this recessive mutation causes partially see-through skin and solid black eyes. Usually, you will see translucent hatchlings with blue underbellies caused by a black lining of the internal body showing through the partially translucent skin. Besides that, you notice a blue tint in other areas, especially around the skin above their eyes. However, this blue color tends to disappear as they grow and their skin thickens.
Moreover, translucent bearded dragons have solid black eyes with no visible iris and yellow colors, but it is not always the case. Some have completely normal eyes, partially darkened, or gold iris. As they mature, their eyes change, as well. The exact reason why the mutation causes these changes to the skin and eye color is still unknown.
- Leatherback Bearded Dragons
A leatherback dragon has a smooth back with spikes on its head and sides. They are named after their leather-textured scaling with slightly brighter colors than normal beardies. This morph may not have spikes all over their bodies, but they won’t still feel smooth to touch. They feel like gritty sandpaper because the spikes grow in different directions.
- Witblits Bearded Dragons
What makes witblits different from other bearded dragons? Well, first of all, this type is another recessive mutation that made the dragon completely patternless. Breeders only discovered witblits shortly before the zero-mutation discovery.
The witblits bearded dragons were first discovered in South Africa, meaning “white lighting”. However, early witblits dragons are not white but relatively brownish earth tones.
- Zero Bearded Dragons
Zero bearded dragons are also one of the most common morphs of this reptile. It resulted in patternless mutations, which made them more beautiful. Usually, zero bearded dragons have an off-white silver color, but they can also be darker shades of gray.
If you warm up a zero beardie using a basking light regularly, lighter patches will start to develop, particularly on the top of his head and on his feet. As the beardie warms up, he will become a lighter color but not as brilliant as the other mutations.
- Dunner Bearded Dragons
Dunner is another type of bearded dragon. Its natural pattern has a stripe that starts from the spine to each side. Besides that, this type has more scales than a normal beardie, and most scales are pointed in different directions, especially on the stomach and tail.
How Much Does a Hypo Bearded Dragon Cost?
Usually, bearded dragons only cost 40-50 dollars in pet stores. However, depending on the private breeder, a central morph, such as hypo, will cost around 100 to 500 dollars.
When it comes to their housing, a bearded dragon’s home can cost $200 – $1,100, depending on the quality and size.
Additionally, you will have a monthly cost of $50 – $100 for food and health and annual costs of $100 – $200 for replacement bulbs and vet visits.
To make lighting simper, you can buy ceramic lighting or a UV lamp that you can leave on for 12-14 hours.
Regular lighting is crucial in bearded dragons since it gives them a comfortable environment to live in and helps them metabolize normally.
Besides that, this lightning can give you peace of mind since they are specifically designed for reptiles.
How to Find a Hypo Bearded Dragon Breeder?
Insert Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bearded-dragon-lizard-in-captivity-8289178/
We recommend you to buy a bearded dragon from a well-known and reputable private breeder since these people are more likely to breed morph variations, including hypo bearded dragons. When buying a hypo bearded dragon is crucial to look for specialized patterns, scalation, and rare colors. Usually, you can find reputable private breeders through:
- Local reptile businesses
- Regional reptile expos
- Enthusiast groups
Moreover, you can start searching for the nearest reptile expo in your area. We highly recommend places like these since the most reliable private breeders participate in this kind of event.
How Big Can Hypo Bearded Dragons Get?
Many beardie owners don’t know how large their pets can get or what factors influence their size. To properly take care of our cute little reptiles, we need to ensure how big they get when fully grown since it will help us pick the best enclosure and determine a feeding place.
If you didn’t know, these little reptiles grow quickly for the first three months of life. Afterward, they will roughly grow another one to two inches per month for the rest of the year. During its second year, beardies can still grow another one to two inches.
Once your hypo bearded dragon is done growing, he or she can be anywhere from 12 to 24 inches. This site is still manageable and makes them an excellent pet no matter how big your home is. You can consider your pet as fully grown once it has reached 11-18 months in age. Some will reach their largest size early at eight to ten months, but others will not reach theirs until their second year.
Here is a chart that can support you in keeping an eye on your hypo bearded dragon’s growth.
- 0-1month: 3-4 inches
- months: 5-9 inches
- months: 8-11 inches
- months: 9-12 inches
- months: 11-16 inches
- months: 11-18 inches
- 8 months: 13-20 inches
- 12 months: 16-24 inches
What Are the Possible Causes for Slow Growth in Hypo Bearded Dragons?
As we have said earlier, bearded dragons’ growth will vary somewhat on their species.
However, some other factors can still influence their potential size or growth rate. Usually, it can be influenced by the quality of care you provide.
Here are some of the possible causes of slow growth in hypo bearded dragons.
- Improper UVB Lighting
Most bearded dragon owners underestimate the benefits of a UV lamp.
Our pets need this item to get the proper amount and intensity of UVA and UVB lighting. If they don’t receive enough, your beardie’s growth can be slowed or stunted dramatically. It also makes the bones weak and brittle.
- Insufficient Diet
Of course, bearded dragons will need the right and balanced diet o grow well. Therefore, you must feed your pet with protein-rich insects during their first three months. Also, these reptiles will need fresh or thawed frozen veggies to reach their maximum size.
- Disease
If your bearded dragon is always sick, it might impact its growth rate.
Just like us, our pets can suffer decreased appetite when they are not feeling well.
That being so, it is crucial to give them the proper care they need. Most owners give their beardies a daily dose of a liquid vitamin to keep the immune system strong.
Conclusion
Since then, various bearded dragon mutations have been discovered, which affected their appearances. We hope our research has helped you determine and understand all mutations and how to identify them.
